Electrical Systems - Manufacturer Requirements

This section deals with how to use decks or special enclosures to achieve isolation of electrical components. The previous section discussed bulkheads; the next section discusses open spaces and minimum distances.

Isolation that separates an electrical component from a gasoline fuel source may be accomplished by a deck between the two or by means of an enclosure. Either the electrical component or the gasoline fuel source may be enclosed to accomplish isolation.

The electrical component may be installed lower or higher than the gasoline fuel source.

If the electrical component is installed lower than the gasoline fuel source, then the deck or enclosure used to create the isolation must prevent liquid fuel and fuel vapors from coming in contact with the electrical component. This requires the compartment to be liquid (water) tight and vapor tight.

If the electrical component is installed higher than the gasoline fuel source, then there must be a deck or enclosure to create the isolation, but it is not necessary that it be liquid or vapor tight. Fuel vapors are heavier than air and would tend to collect below the isolation deck or enclosure. Should it be obvious in a specific installation that fuel vapors could surround an electrical component, then good practice would be to make the deck or enclosure an isolation barrier or to select ignition protected electrical components.

Figures 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 depict typical boats and the use of decks and enclosures for isolation.

FIGURE 3 - Isolation of Electrical Components

FIGURE 5 - Isolation of Electrical Components

FIGURE 6 - Isolation of Electrical Components

FIGURE 7 - Isolation of Electrical Components

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